I've had numerous instances of thrush and vaginal yeast infections since acquiring lupus in 2000.

I've been taking Nystatin 500,000 IU for the last 3-4 years to keep these infections away, and it's been doing a pretty good job. But recently some infections have been occurring.

Does anyone have experiance with chronic thrush or yeast infections that might help me? Possible alternative treatments?

Anyone using Nystatin for chronic yeast? It's an anti-fungal, and I guess a yeast overgrowth becomes fungal - I don't recall the exact mechanisms of it all right now. (Brain fog tonight, literal fog outside!)

Any anecdotal evidence or stories relating to these 3 topics welcomed, never know what might be helpful !

At one point, she made sure to get it from a source that had it refrigerated. You need the live culture. This pills that have much more than the yogurt.

At one point, I was making kefir which is easy and inexpensive to make and has zillions of live probiotics. You can check out "Dom's Kefir in-site". It helps to rid your body of the yeast overgrowth. Helps digestive issues too, which is what I was using it for.

Sugar will feed yeast . . . so eliminating sugar should help too.

I hope this help

Blessings!

In His Grip

AlwaysRosie "We can't control the waves, but we can learn how to surf!!"

I have heard alot of good things about the acidophilus. They are starting to add probiotics to everything now too. Deans even makes a cottage cheese. Its a good idea to eat the yogurt/kefir too because you are attacking the yeast right at the source. I love the taste of the kefir, its a nice smoothie taste. I was on Flagyl about a year ago and started to get the burning in my mouth and just started eating the yogurt/kefir like crazy. It went away in a couple days. Make sure the probitotics you buy say "Includes live cultures" not "may include". Some of the larger companies like yoplait may not actually have the probiotics in them. And if you use mouthwash make sure it has no alcohol in it. It dries out your mouth and causes the yeast takes over. Crest I think makes one. "Toms" is an all natural company that is pretty big and they sell a mouthwash with tea tree oil in it thats supposed to help. Im not sure if you use any oral inhalers? They cause thrush too. There used to be an oral cleanser that you can use too.I know there is alot of talk about wearing cotton underwear to avoid yeast infections. And I know the some of the scented liners/tampons bother me. I hope some of that helps! You and Rosie always have such good advice for everyone!Melissa

Oh yes, probiotics (acidophilus) has benefitted me tremendously. I had recouring yeast infections and thrush too. I started taking 2 - 15 billion organism capsules every day for about 3 months initially. I actually lost 30 pounds!! That regimine was then tapered back to one capsule every day. I've been on it since 2005.

It's recommended that you take a brand that is medicinal grade, and refridgerated. With at least 10 billion live oragnisms. Metagenics is the brand I use. I get it from my naturopath.

It's also great if you have mild G.I. issues.

Hope this helps!I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in,to be content. Phillipians 4:11-13

The probiotics, etc didn't even begin to touch this. We tried that years ago... It's in the digestive system big time, not just at the ends. The "end" treatments didn't keep it from coming back all the time. That's why the big guns aiming at systemic chronic Candida with the Nystatin.

The funny thing is that it's giving me trouble NOW - when about 6 weeks ago I quit sugars & wheats (no more yeast bread ) -- the exact opposite of all the literature.

Apparently this happens fairly often when taking prednisone long term -- but I haven't run into anyone with this severe a case.....

Wow, you have a serious issue Lynnwood? I wonder if it's your body's way of going through a detox from the diet change? I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in,to be content. Phillipians 4:11-13

I saw a naturopath for a year straight for help with yeast that I had for 10 years that is now gone finally. Probioctics are important in preventing yeast but will not do much for exsisting yeast as it can not kill it. Grapefruit Seed Extract is the only thing that worked on killing mine months of taking it daily ( you do not build up resistance and it does not kill good bacteria) now I take a product called Candida Clear by Now for maintenace and I have been yeast free for a year. You need natural antifungals, like odorless garlic pills, candida clear or candex and grape fruit seed. Another good one to use it oil of oregano but yeast will build up resistance in time so you would need to rotate that with another anti fungal like olive leaf. No carbs or sugar is important as it feeds yeast. Most ND's believe Nystatin actually makes yeast worse as it's full of sugar this means pasta, rice potato's carrots corn all things with sugar natural or fake. Make sure when you buy hot dogs or anything they do not have words ending in ose as that is surgars or syrups. I saw several doctor's actually likely dozens before I was able to kick that. I bought my stuff at IHERB just type in yeast or candida and you will see things come up much cheaper then stores.

Hope this helps.

MCTD had a high positive ANA of 1:2560 with high positive anti -rnp using antibiotic therapy and now pretty much better. With now a negative ANA and all labs no more RNP antibody or Pain

That gives me some more things to think about. One of my other meds cannot be taken with grapefruit or grapefruit juice -- wonder how that'd work with the Grapefruit Seed Extract? (I'm not willing to test it out.)

Sounds like this might be another weird lupus thing that is different for everyone - the Nystatin has helped for years so I can't figure out how it would suddenly not work...

When I was on TOO many antibiotics for lyme, I was getting systemic candida and vaginal yeast infections weekly. How I finally got rid of them was by taking probiotics (10 billion units a day is enough), coconut oil, Apple cider Vinegar (love this) and olive leaf extract. Works like a charm, no side effects. Another very important factor in keeping candida to a low level is to keep the ph in the body balanced. A good way to achieve this is with lemons.

If you're going to try the apple cid. vin. you need to make sure you buy unpasturized, unflitered with "mother" in it. This format of vin has all the medicinal properties left in it and is very easy on the stomach. I take 2 tbsps a day with a shot of organic apple juice. Then I eat or if I don't eat, will drink a large glass of water after it.

Lynnwood, I have the same problem. I was wondering if there was a connection with the yeast to my recent uti. I use the Nystatin swish and swallow and occassionally diflucan. I also eat yogurt. It's a miserable problem to have, hope you find a feasible solution. Judy

I had it really bad. Had to treat it naturally for a year. I changed my diet, took an enzyme based product with enzymes contained protease and cellulease called Candidase, Oil of Oregano in extract form is one of the best, along with probiotics 8 based form by Jarro-dophilus. Plain acidophilus is not enough. No chemicals, organic diet, fish, veggies, and low acidic foods. No soda, no vinagar, no chemicals to clean. Tons of water. Within a month I was feeling tons tons better. Also Garlic pills supplemented by a green food drink and carrot juice daily. I promise it worked. Had my doctor not put me on this, I don't know what I would do. I am back to detoxing today due to similar issues.